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LOS ANGELES (JTA) — Vandals targeted a combined mosque-Islamic community center here twice during the past week, although in one instance the perpetrators apparently mistook the mosque for a synagogue.

The front of the Islamic Center of Southern California was defaced Oct. 26 with a swastika and the words, "Jew, go home." And on Sunday evening, a large rock shattered the front glass door of the center while worshippers were praying inside.

In response, the Los Angeles City Human Relations Commission called a news conference Monday, with the participation of Muslim and Jewish members.

"It is especially heinous when a house of worship is singled out, " said Joe R. Hicks, the commission's executive director.

Police had no leads on possible suspects, Hicks said.

Many Jews practice quirky idiosyncrasies

LOS ANGELES (JTA) — How do Jews actually practice their religion, in contrast to what rabbis tell them they ought to do?

In researching his book, "Being Jewish: The Spiritual and Cultural Practice of Judaism Today," Columbia University Journalism Professor Ari Goldman came across some real pearls, he recently told a UCLA audience.

For example, on Shabbat observance: "I don't floss my teeth on Shabbat." "I don't eat shellfish on Shabbat." "I drive, but not on freeways."

Some other puzzling observations: "I keep kosher, but only within 50 miles of my home." "I keep three sets of dishes — for meat, dairy and Chinese food."

Said Goldman, "I love these responses. They say so much about American Jews, who try to find their own comfort level in their practice of Judaism."

Jewish classes draw more moms than dads

NEW YORK (JTA) — North American synagogues and Jewish community centers should offer a broader range of courses, according to a new study of adult Jewish education.

Sponsored by the Jewish Community Centers Association of North America and the Conservative movement's Jewish Theological Seminary, the survey found that mothers participate in the largest number of adult Jewish courses.

In related news, the National Jewish Outreach Program is providing study materials in Russian and Spanish when it offers Hebrew classes at some 1,100 locations across North America.